The future of universities in towns and cities around the world.
As an independent researcher I conduct original research, write reports and briefings, and promote findings at events and conferences.
My focus is on the role of universities in development, in particular in their local area. I am based in the UK, but have extensive international experience, including recent research in Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.
About James
Over the past few years I have completed work for the Royal Society, KPMG, GuildHE, the UK Government Office for Science, the Commonwealth and Chevening scholarship programmes, Research England, Rwanda Action and British Council International Education Services.
I’m also Head of Research at the National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education, an Associate at Yorkshire Universities, a PhD candidate at UCL Institute of Education, and a Research Affiliate at the University of Rwanda.
In 2018-19 I led an eight country research project for the British Council on ‘smart cities’ which attracted national and international press coverage.
In the past I’ve worked for Universities UK, UNESCO Vietnam, and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
Latest from the blog
I’ve been blogging here for over five years, mostly about my work and projects. See all posts.
Visualising a path to local engagement
Before local development work can start, institutional support, staff or student willingness, and appropriate resources are needed
Unlocking Entrepreneurship in Education – University Heads of Enterprise Report 2020
A snapshot of enterprise in UK universities before COVID struck
The myth of the devastating blow: the healthy growth of the Stockholm-Uppsala life science industry
The important impact of the media in the ‘city of methods’
